Translation guide
The English verb "repulse" has two main meanings: to drive back or repel an attack or attacker, and to cause strong disgust or aversion. These meanings require different Japanese expressions.
To push back an enemy, attack, or physical force.
The most direct equivalent for repelling an enemy or attack. Commonly used in military or combat contexts.
We repulsed the enemy's attack.
To drive away or chase off. Less formal than , often used for animals or persistent people.
To repel or beat back. Can be used for physical attacks or abstract challenges.
To bounce back or repulse a physical object or force. Often used for projectiles or attacks.
To make someone feel strong disgust or revulsion.
In English, 'repulse' can mean both 'drive back' and 'cause disgust'. In Japanese, these are expressed with completely different words. Using 撃退する for disgust would be unnatural, and using 嫌悪感を抱かせる for a physical attack would be wrong.
When expressing that something repulses you (disgust), it's often more natural to describe your own feeling rather than the action. For example, 'I was repulsed' can be 嫌悪感を抱いた or むかついた.
I repulsed the dog.
敵を退けた。
They repulsed the enemy.
He repulsed the ball.
His attitude repulsed me.
Casual and common way to say something disgusts or irritates you. Stronger than just 'annoy'.
That smell repulses me.
To make someone shudder with disgust or fear. Emphasizes a visceral reaction.
The sight repulsed me.
Literally 'to induce nausea'. Very strong expression for something physically repulsive.
Rotten food repulses me.